Draft-rigging.



No. 705,520. Patented July 22, I902.

W. H. EMERICK. DRAFT mama (Application-filed Apr. 16, 1902.;

' 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Wimsas Z 0 mm 2 2 IN u 1 d e t n e t a P Knw N Em. MR H .R D 0 2 5 U 7 0 N (Application filed Apr. 16, 19024- 2 SheetsSheet 2.

(ll-o Model.)

NV/l/WVl/l/IIWIl/Jl/////////////////////////% Witnesses: 313(1/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM H. EMERIOK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRAFT-RIGGING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,520, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed April 16. 1902. Serial No. 103,119. (No model.)

To 00% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. EMERICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county-of (look and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Draft-Rigging, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to draft-rigging.

The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of apparatus of this nature and to render the same more effi cient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of draft rigging wherein the shock and jar incident to the use of apparatus of this nature are taken up in a manner to reduce the possibility of injury or breakage of parts. I

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location,and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully set forth as shown in the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a viewin plan of a draft-rigging'embodying the principles of my invention. 'Fig. 2 is a View in longitudinal central section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4. is a detached detail view in perspective of a yoke or strap employed in connection with appliances of this nature. Fig. 5 is a detached detail view, in front elevation and in central longitudinal section, of a compression rod washer embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 6 is a view showing in front and also inside elevation a follower employed-incounection with my invention. Fig. 7 is a detached detail view in perspective, showing the interlocking or straddling forked ends of the compressionrods.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

reference-signs A and B designate, respectively, suitable draft-timbers mounted andarranged in the usual manner and suitably spaced apart -to receive the draftrigging therebetween. On the opposed faces of the draft-timbers are formed suitable pockets, in whichthe draft-riggingis mounted and supported. These pockets may be either formed integrally with the draft-timbers (in which case the draft-timbers would be in the form of castings with the pockets formed on the inner faces thereof) or may be formed in separate castings, as shown in the drawings, and suitably bolted or otherwise secured to the opposing faces of the draft-timbers. Reference-signs C and D designate these castings. These castings are formed with overhanging ledges E, forming recesses or pockets adapted to receive suitable followers F and G. These followers are of substantially the same construction, and therefore a description of the one will answer for both. As most clearly shown in Fig. 6, these followers are provided with a hub extension H, into which are loosely received the ends of compression-rods J K. Followers F' G are presented in opposite directions, and the end of compression-rod J is received in the hub H of follower F, while the opposite end of compression-rod K is received in the hub of follower G, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, the two compression-rods J andK be ing arranged in alinementwith each other and between the followers F and G. The meeting ends of the compression-rods J K are forked, the forks in said ends straddling each other, as clearly shown, so as to permit endwise relative movement of the two compression-rods with respect to each other and freely without becoming disengaged fromeach other. On the free ends of the fork ed arms of each compression-rod is received a compressionwasher L,'the construction of which is clearly shown in Fig. 5. Each washer is provided with a counterbore M, into which extend the shouldered ends of the forks of the compression-rods, as clearly shown at N in Fig. 2. Suitable draft-springs O are interposed be tween each washer L and the follower F or G, cooperating with each compression-rod.

of form no part of my present invention, the essential feature being the interposition between each washer L and its cooperating follower F or G of a draft-spring, whether said springs are nested or are arranged in tandem or however they may be arranged. The projecting edges of followers F and G and washers L are received in the pockets formed in castings G D or in the inner faces of the partsA and B, where said pockets are formed or cast integrally with said parts, these pockets thereby forming guides for the followers and washers in the movements thereof. It will be observed that each draft-spring O cooperates between a follower-plate mounted upon one of the compression-rods and a washer mounted upon the other of the compression-rods, or rather upon the forked ends thereof. Consequently in service said draft-springs are compressed in opposite directions-that is to say, when the relative movement of the draftrods longitudinally with respect to each other occurs in a direction to compress the springs the compression of spring 0, operating between washer L and follower F, occurs by reason of the movement of washer L toward follower F. At the same time compression of the spring interposed between washer L and follower G occurs by reason of the movement of washerL toward washer G, and hence in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of washer L toward follower F. Therefore the compression of these springs occurs by reason of the movements of the com pression rods in opposite directions. Con versely, it will be seen that when the compressing strain is relieved expansion' of the springs takes place in the reverse order with respect to that above described and still in opposite directions with respect to each other. By reason of this construction and arrangement and operation it will be observed that when the springs are under compression, whether that compression is produced by a pulling effortas, for instance, the strain imposed upon a draft-rigging in hauling a caror whether the springs are compressed under a pushing effort from one ear to another, the springs always operate in opposite directions, and hence tend to equalize and compensate each other. Moreover, by reason of this peculiar arrangement and compression the recoil of the springs after compression, whether from a pulling or a pushing effort, centers the strains, and hence relieves the castings of danger of injury if the recoil of the springs were all in the same direction. In other words, the apparatus is relieved of the effects of sudden reeoils of the springs,because in the arrangement above described the springs recoil in opposite directions with respect to each other. This I regard as the important feature of my invention, and while I have shown a specific embodiment of my idea it is obvious to any one skilled in the art that the principles of my invention may be readily adapted to many specifically-different forms.

I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact construction and arrangement of parts as shown in the drawings.

\Vhere the overhanging flangesEare formed integral with the casting, suitable provision may be made for the ready insertion or removal of the draft-rigging-as, for instance, by providing the castings with removable plates P on the under side thereof (see Fig. 3) and suitably bolted or otherwise secured to the castings. These removable strips or plates P may also serve to retain the compression rods and washers in place.

If desired, suitable limit-stops maybe provided for the followers F and G to limit the relative movements thereof. In the particu lar form shown the castings O D maybe provided with shoulders Q and with suitable lugs or projections R, between which the ends or flanges of the followers F G may play.

S designates a yoke or strap arranged to straddle the followers of the draft-rigging in the ordinary or any suitable or convenient manner, said yoke or strap adapted to be bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the draw-bar A. In Fig. 4 I have shown an ordinary form of yoke or strap employed in this connection. This yoke or strap may serve the purpose of a guide for the compressionrods J K to hold the same in centered relation, and, if desired and as shown, the castings may be provided with projections B for the same purpose, said projections cooperating with the yoke or strap S for this purpose. The lugs or projections It serve not only to limit the movements of the followers F G, but also act as emergency-stops to take the strain oif the springs and compression-rods in case of breakage of any of the parts or in case an undue compression of the springs occurs.

It is obvious that many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement would readily occur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact construction and arrangement shown and described; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, whatI claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A draft-rigging including draftrods mounted for relative longitudinal movement, a draft-sprin g associated with each draft-rod, each draft-rod arranged to engage the draftspring upon the other rod, whereby said draftsprings operate in opposition to each other, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A draft-rigging comprising draft-rods, a follower mounted on each draft-rod, draftsprings mounted on each draft-rod, each draft-spring being arranged between the follower of the draft-rod upon which said spring is mounted and the end of the other draftrod, whereby in compression or expansion said springs operate in opposition to each other, as and for the purpose set forth.

' 3. A draft-rigging comprising draft-rods, a follower carried by each draft-rod, a compression-washer loosely mounted upon each rod, a spring interposed between each follower and its cooperating compression-washer, the adjacent ends of said compression-rods, respectively, engaging the compression-washer upon the other rod; all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

4. Adraft-rigging comprising draft-rods arranged in alinement with 'eachother, a follower mounted upon opposite ends of said rods, and springs interposed between each follower and the adjacent end of the other rod; all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A draft-rigging comprising draft-rods having forked ends and arranged in alinement with each other, said forked ends straddling each other, followers mounted upon the other ends of said rods, and springs interposed between each follower and the adjacent end ofthe other rod, as and for the purpose set forth. l

6. A draft-rigging comprising draft-rods, a follower mounted upon opposite ends of said rods, compression-washers loosely mounted upon each rod, a spring interposed between each follower and. its cooperating compres sion-washer, the compression-washer upon one rod being engaged'by and bearing against the proximate end of the other rod; all combined and arranged 'as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A draft-rigging comprising draft=rods, means for supporting the same, followers mounted upon opposite ends, respectively, of said draft-rods, a spring interposed between each follower and the proximate end of the other rod, a strap straddling said rods and operating over said followers, and a draw-bar connected to said strap and arranged to form a bearing against the follower upon one of said rods, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A draft-rigging including draft-rods, followers mounted upon the opposite ends, re

spectively, of said rods, guides for said followers, awspring interposed between each follower and the proximate end of the other rod, and a limit-stop for said followers; allcombined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a draft-rigging, draft=rods, asupporting-casting therefor provided with pockets or recesses, followers mounted on said rods and guided in said pockets or recesses, and springs interposed between the follower on one of said rods and the proximate end of the other of said rods, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a draft-rigging, draft-rods having forked ends, said rods arranged in longitudinal relation with respect to each other, the forked ends straddling each other, followers mounted upon the opposite ends, respectively, of each of said rods, a spring interposed between the follower of one rod and the adjacent end of the other rod, means for centering said rods in longitudinal relation, and a supporting-casting having guides for said followers; all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth. 7

11. In adraft=rigging, supporting-sills, castings arranged on the opposed faces of said sills and provided with pockets, draft-rods arranged between said castings and in longitudinal relation with respect to each other, followers mounted upon the opposite ends, respectively, of said rods, said followers being guided in said pockets, a spring inter posed between the follower on each rod and the proximate end of the other rod, a bearing shoulder or abutment for each follower, a

limit-stop for each follower, a strap for said rods and followers, and a coupling-arm connected to said strap; all combined and ar-' ranged as and for the purpose setforth.

12. A draft-riggin g including draft rods ar ranged in longitudinal relation with respect to each other, a follower carried by the oppo= site ends, respectively, of said rods, a compression-washer looselymounted upon each rod, a springinterposed between each follower and its cooperating compression-washer, sald compression-washers being counterbored, the adjacent ends of said rods being reduced to form a shoulder, the reduced or shouldered end of one rod arranged to be received in the counterbore of the compressionwasher upon the other rod; all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 12th day of April, 1902, in the pres ence of the subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. EMERICK;

Witnesses:

L. LEATHERMAN, G. L. HEBNAUK. 

